Pioneer High School Performing Arts Courses

Performing Arts Courses

The Performing Arts Department provides a wide variety of performing groups that engage students in all areas of: Theater Arts, Instrumental and Vocal Music and Theory programs that meet or exceed the proficiency levels of the California State Content Standards for the Performing Arts as well as meeting the “f” requirement for admission to the UC or CSU college system. Students enrolled in the Performing Arts courses will be required to perform in “out of class” performances throughout the year, as they are inherent to the nature of the classes. Students will be engaged in artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural content, aesthetic valuing, and applications made throughout their school curriculum. Students will be encouraged to continue their music/theater education long after their graduation.

9th – 12th Grade Courses

Theatre Arts A/B

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Theatre Arts is designed to give students an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in acting and to explore the elements in theatrical production. Students will study and perform acting exercises such as pantomime, voice, improvisation, motivation, characterization, scenes, and monologues. Students will create their own scenes, as well as, study classic works. Students are required to participate in the Theatre experience outside of class by attending plays and getting hands on experience by doing behind the scenes work for productions. Students will finish the year with a general overview of theatre arts and with performance experience.

Play Production

Year (10 - 12 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in Theatre Arts A/B or teacher’s permission.

The Play Production class is an advanced Theatre Arts class that is responsible for producing all the High Schools major productions. The students in Play Productions will make up the cast and crew of the shows. Students will learn all aspects of production including lighting, sound, set construction and design, costumes, props, advertising and stage management. Students are required to do fundraising and to participate in after school hours acting or crewing for the productions. Students will get the full theatrical experience and be encouraged to further develop their skills.

Choir

Year (10 credits)

Choir is an entry level performing group open to all students wishing to learn the fundamentals in tone production, notation, diction and musicianship through singing. Students will sing a variety of music from different genres in class and in performance throughout the year. This course will enable students to be involved in public performances outside of class through either the Music Program or the Theater Arts Program. Students are prepared (and are encouraged) to continue their vocal music training in Concert Choir or Chamber Singers.

Concert Choir

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: One year of Choir, and/or teacher recommendation, and audition.

Concert Choir is an advanced singing class designed to bring the elements of vocal music fundamentals together in the performance (public and classroom) of both accompanied and unaccompanied literature. Students will experience and perform a large repertoire of music from the Renaissance through the 21st century. Students will be required to perform in both school and public performances throughout the school year. Students will be encouraged through successful completion of this program to take a more advance program in Chamber Singers or the Advanced Placement Music Theory class.

Chamber Singers

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Audition and/or teacher recommendation.

The Chamber Singers ensemble is the most advanced choral group. Students will study music primarily written for a cappella groups although accompanied music will be performed as well. Students will be encouraged to explore solo works for audition in regional and statewide honor ensembles. Concerts are given throughout the year in the greater Woodland and Sacramento areas, including choral festivals. On special years, the group will undertake a major tour. Performance attendance is required.

Treble Show Choir

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Previous choral experience or by consent of director. Students will develop basic vocal pedagogy along with application of vocal jazz styles. Dance is a regular element of this class. Concert in school and local community events, mini tours, field trips are required. This will be a graded course.

Concert Band

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f) PHS WHS

Prerequisite: Recommendation by Middle School Instructor, or by audition and /or teacher recommendation.

The Concert Band is offered to ninth grade band students or students wishing to begin a second instrument. Students will explore music literature that will prepare them for the advanced ensembles. Students will be required to perform (in class and out of class) in concerts, parades and football games as per the schedule set by the current band instructor. Instruments are available for loan with a volunteer use fee/donation of $40 to help offset repair and replacement costs. Occasionally, the students in this ensemble will participate with the advanced ensembles on tour. This course will give students an internalized vision of being a life long musician.

Jazz Ensemble

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Two years of either Concert or Symphonic Band, instructor approval and/or audition.

The Jazz Ensemble is an advanced performing ensemble (with limited enrollment) that explores different sub-genres and styles through performance. Student study will focus on the “Big Band” concept with the instrumentation that includes saxophones, trumpets, trombones and a rhythm section of piano, bass, drums and guitar. Students will participate in concerts, festivals, and public performances as a requirement for successful completion of the class. Occasionally, the students in this ensemble will participate with other advanced ensembles on tour. The course will give students foundations and experience in the genre of Jazz.

Wind Ensemble

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Instructor’s recommendation and audition. The Wind Ensemble is the highest level of band that is geared to challenge the serious band students. The total number of students will dictate the instrumentation of the ensemble, however the intent is to keep the ensemble small. Students will use literature of the highest caliber and will focus on the advanced high school and moderate college levels. Students in this ensemble may be asked to provide leadership to the Symphonic and Concert Band in public performances, which include concerts, football games and parades. Instruments are available for loan with a volunteer use fee/donation of $40 to help offset repair and replacement costs. Occasionally, the students in this ensemble will participate with the advanced ensembles on tour. This course provides an intense experience in both learning and performing music for wind instruments.

Beginning Piano

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

This is a course offered to students with no prior piano experience. Emphasis will be on note reading, chords, simplified major scales, playing familiar songs and developing proper hand structure and technique. This course will be graded, can be respected and is intended to be a low stress and supportive addition to other music courses.

10th – 12th Grade Courses

Symphonic Band

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: One year of Concert Band, or Instructor’s recommendation. The Symphonic Band is an advanced ensemble, made up of skilled performers who have been playing for more than two years. Students in this ensemble will explore the history and theory of significant music selections while performing moderate to advanced literature in required (in class and out of class) public performances, which include concerts, football games and parades. Instruments are available for loan with a volunteer use fee/donation of $40 to help offset repair and replacement costs. Occasionally, the students in this ensemble will participate with the other advanced ensembles on tour. This course provides a venue for advanced music students to perfect their craft.

Intermediate Piano

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in Beginning Piano or instructor’s recommendation and audition. This class is a continuation of Piano 1. Emphasis will be on note reading, chords, simplified major scales, playing familiar songs and developing proper hand structure and technique. In addition to school performance, there will be mandatory recitals. This class will be graded.

Music Theory AP

Year (10 credits) UC / CSU (f)

Prerequisite: High performance level on an instrument or voice and instructor’s approval through interview, application and audition.

Note: Honors/AP application required.

The Advanced Placement Music Theory course is specifically intended for highly motivated musicians who are seriously interested in the study of music, musical applications in voice or instrument, history, appreciation, and composition, as described in the College Board course description (published each year). The students will be engaged in the creative process, analysis, and criticism of music of the 18th century however expanding to include the Renaissance through the 21st century. The course will provide the information and technical assistance to produce an original, copyrightable composition of high quality in an 18th century style. Students will be required to pay $83.00 for their AP exam; financial assistance is available. The exam is given at the end of the year and may be granted college or university credit by the College Board.